As a lifelong gamer and a 20-year Game Developer, I’ve always been a huge fan of the GameCube controller. Its design is perfect for smaller hands, making it my go-to choice. However, due to the frustrating joy-con drift issues, I decided to try out the iPegas controllers shaped like GameCube controllers, which I ordered from AliExpress. While I haven’t extensively tested them yet, I hope they will provide a reliable alternative.

Nintendo holds a special place in my heart because it allows me to share my love for gaming with my 5-year-old son. Unlike other consoles I own (PS4 Pro, Xbox One S, PS3, Oculus Quest), Nintendo consistently delivers safe and accessible content suitable for young minds.

In fact, experiencing gaming through my son’s eyes has been a remarkable journey. We’ve had an incredible time playing Pokemon and Mario on the Nintendo Switch. The level of polish in every first-party Nintendo Switch game is truly impressive and takes me back to the days of the original NES.

Speaking of which, Super Metroid remains one of the best 16-bit games of its era, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing every Nintendo game I could get my hands on since then.

Recently, my 5-year-old developed a keen interest in Pokemon. What started as an innocent hobby during self-isolation quickly grew, and now he eagerly collects Pokemon merchandise. He earns a box of Pokemon items each week for his exemplary behavior, and he truly works hard to earn them.

Pokemon and its captivating culture became increasingly fascinating as we delved deeper. While the video games intrigued us, I didn’t want to invest in expensive Switch games that might overwhelm my son with complex sentences. So, inspired by my positive Switch experience, we opted for a more budget-friendly approach and got a Nintendo 2DS XL and a 3DS XL instead.

Nintendo’s DS series is undeniably one of the finest gaming systems I’ve encountered. With its vast library and abundance of Pokemon-related content, it offers endless entertainment. The accessibility and affordability of the system, particularly the original DS games, make it even more appealing. Among the notable titles, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings and Radiant Historia caught my attention, as I had never played them before. This is especially exciting for me, considering my love for FF12 and Radiata Stories, the latter being my favorite PS2 title.

The Nintendo handheld collector’s market is truly fascinating. It’s a community filled with passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a love for these wonderful, polished gaming experiences. As I delve deeper into exploring other platforms with my son, I look forward to discussing our adventures together in the coming weeks.